Top White House counterterrorism aide in Israel

US President Barack Obama's top counterterrorism adviser was in Israel on Wednesday to discuss the recent attack on Israelis in Bulgaria and meet with the Palestinian prime minister. During the visit, John Brennan consulted with "senior Israeli officials about a range of shared security concerns, including the recent wave of terrorist plots against Israeli and other interests," the White House said in a statement. Brennan also had a "productive meeting" with Palestinian prime minister Salam Fayyad in Jerusalem, White House National Security Council spokesman Tommy Vietor added. Brennan, a Middle East expert, traveled on Monday to Bulgaria, where a suicide attack on July 18 targeted a busload of Israeli tourists. The blast killed five Israelis, their Bulgarian bus driver and the attacker. The group was headed from Burgas airport toward resorts on the Black Sea when the bomber struck. Israel accuses Iran of masterminding the attack and Lebanese Shiite militant group Hezbollah of executing it, claims they both vehemently deny.